Oncology AI Solutions Lead (Director)

ROLE SUMMARY

At Pfizer we deliver Breakthroughs That Change Patients Lives. Discovering new medicines at Pfizer takes teams with a diversity of skills, behaviors and approaches. Creativity, scientific excellence, tenacity, passion, hard work, organization, teamwork, courage, open-mindedness, curiosity – are just some of the traits successful R&D colleagues display at Pfizer, and we are looking for an ambitious AI Oncology Director to join our team.
The Oncology AI Solutions Lead is a vital role within the Pfizer Oncology organization, acting as an operational business partner across Pfizer Oncology for all Artificial Intelligence (AI) related initiatives.
The successful candidate will be a health technology solutions leader passionate about the potential of AI to transform the discovery and development of breakthrough oncology therapies with the potential to alter clinical practice and transform cancer patients’ outcomes.
The incumbent will help to embed a digital / AI-first mindset and culture across Pfizer Oncology teams, enable internal collaboration around AI initiatives and lead on external engagement to identify, evaluate, and secure AI oncology opportunities. It is expected that these efforts will provide direct and visible benefits to Oncology R&D process efficiency and product pipeline in the near-, mid-, and long-term. They will be responsible for implementing AI/digital innovation capabilities within Pfizer Oncology and collaborating with AI/Innovation colleagues in other parts of Pfizer to drive forward the digital first R&D agenda across the organization.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy:

• Support the Oncology Data and AI Strategy Lead and Pfizer Oncology leaders in identifying and articulating opportunities for digitaltechnologies/transformation to accelerate Oncology R&D breakthroughs and optimize R&D processes.
• Lead as an AI Subject Matter Expert within Oncology R&D, championing AI and innovative technology to achieve Pfizer Oncology goals, inform development decisions and drive future access for patients in a faster and HCP/patient centric manner.
• Maintain current knowledge of technology trends and industry solutions via market intelligence and strategic vendor partnerships. Work closely with Pfizer Oncology teams to identify emerging external AI/digital innovations and technologies.

Implementation:

• Execute against Pfizer Oncology's AI breakthrough goals including managing cross-functional teams across Pfizer Oncology budget monitoring, KPI’s and successful deployment in partnership with digital.
• Support the Oncology Data and AI Strategy Lead in developing business case / ROI expectations for above innovation opportunities (in partnership with Business Development where relevant) and work with Pfizer Oncology functional leaders and the LT to obtain enterprise endorsement and funding for the proposed innovations.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Pfizer Oncology, Pfizer RD and the broader business, including interacting with machine learning (ML) professionals, data scientists and programmers within AI/Data COEs to lead the implementation of novel AI-enabled approaches and/or strategic initiatives that deliver more efficient and effective Oncology R&D processes, as well as providing strategic insight into programs.
• Supporting colleagues across Pfizer Oncology with innovative data/AI/ML solutions to complement and reorganize existing practices - including Identifying recent developments in AI research that may impact Oncology R&D.
• Manage lifecycle of AI/digital solutions from concept design, prototyping, to development and release. Work with R&D IT teams to identify and manage data security risks and GxP validation requirements for digital technologies.
• Serve as Pfizer representative to strategic AI/digital partnerships with external organizations, healthcare institutions, and tech companies to leverage AI capabilities and stay at the forefront of innovation.
• Serve as representative of Pfizer Oncology’s AI oncology innovation to biotech, venture, and academic communities.

Impact:

• Measure and demonstrate tangible business impact of AI- solutions and analyzing data to assess ROI and making data driven decisions to optimize AI strategies for maximum value creation.
• Drive awareness among Pfizer Oncology eams of the value created / ROI from oncology development-focused AI/digital technological innovation, and work with Pfizer Oncology Medical Strategy and Scientific Affairs colleagues on external communications on these topics

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Biology, chemistry or other life science field with 10+ years experience in BD or of AI/ML/DL-driven strategies. Deep insights into the biotech/healthcare AI/digital environment/ecosystem.
• 5+ years’ experience in driving cross functional teams to develop AI or scientific solutions aligned with business goals for maximum impact and successful delivery.  
• 5+ years’ experience in leading AI/digital innovation strategies and implementation in the biotech / pharmaceutical R&D field.
• Passionate about the application of AI/Gen-AI in healthcare to transform patient outcomes and care.
• Experience acting as an interface between business and technical delivery teams to originate and implement novel forms of analytics and manage cross-functional innovation projects.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work within a matrix organization and collaborate effectively across functions (e.g., R&D, Commercial and IT).
• Strong demonstrated skills in relevant capabilities such as product development, ecosystem activation, etc. Optional requirements.
• Experience working in the Oncology therapeutic area.
• Experience working with Design Thinking processes.
• Strong technical skills including applying and developing methods of algorithms in AI, data sciences best practices, problem solving and analytical thinking.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing AI and innovation strategies within biopharmaceutical industry or a similarly highly regulated setting.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience working in the Oncology therapeutic area.
• Experience working with Design Thinking processes.
• Strong technical skills including applying and developing methods of algorithms in AI, data sciences best practices, problem solving and analytical thinking.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing AI and innovation strategies within biopharmaceutical industry or a similarly highly regulated setting.